Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:58:45 -0800
Dear Mark:
Ye Gods, where in the world did you ever find a copy of my Dungeon of Necros?!?
I wrote that dungeon back in the days before computer games or even computers. I was living in Tacoma at the time, and I was teaching a recreational class at the local community college at night. The class was called 'Play Dungeons & Dragons.' Moms and dads would bring their kids to it, and we would have a lot of fun. I used the D of N as a teaching vehicle. After each class was over, I would give each participant a copy of the dungeon. In 1981 I moved to Bellingham, WA, and carried on for a couple of years at the Western Washington University night classes. It was strictly a hobby that made a few dollars on the side.
I wrote the D of N because I couldn't find a ready-made dungeon that fit all these criteria:
> Can be played through in a limited amount of time.
> Interesting and humorous for adults and children at the same time
> Had a definite win-or-lose scenerio (as dungeon master I used to manipulate the game so that the littles would win against all odds!)
I printed many copies of it, and I still have copies. If you don't have all the pages, let me know and I'll send you a complete copy. I was very proud of the cartoons I drew for the game.
The character of Necros is a parody of Mark Spitz, a medal-winning Olympic swimmer of the late 70s. That dates it!
I really miss D&D. The current computer games (which I love) have taken its place. When I play World of Warcraft I always bore people by saying 'this is what we were aiming for with D&D.' I believed in the power of the game as an educational tool for youngsters. I also believed that a good dungeon master had to be a good standup comedian who could leave the players laughing. In 1980, I attempted to get prison and hospital administrators interested in it as a recreational/educational tool. It was then I learned that most people, no matter how intelligent they are, are simply incapable of understanding or playing the game. I don't know why this is.
You might be interested in my 1987 novel, Charon's Ark, or in looking at my (unfinished) web site
http://www.rickgauger.com/index.html
